Beets And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing For Your Palate

Beets are an underrated vegetable with an earthy, sweet flavour. They can be added to salads, soups, and side dishes. But did you know that they taste even better with cheese? The best kinds of cheese to serve with beets are feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, and cheddar. These creamy and sharp cheeses provide a nice contrast to the earthy flavour of beets.

Goat's cheese and beet salad

Goats Cheese and Beetroot Salad

Ingredients

• 100g salad leaves
• 100g beetroot, chopped into chunks
• 30g goat's cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 0.5 lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 pinch sea salt and ground black pepper
• 30g walnuts, broken into pieces

Optional

• Orange or grapefruit slices
• Strawberries or blueberries
• Feta or stilton
• Pecans or cashews
• Cooked chickpeas or quinoa
• Honey

Method

Step 1: Make the salad dressing

Combine the oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, and salt and pepper.

Step 2: Prepare the salad leaves

Place the salad leaves in a large bowl and add the dressing. Mix well to coat the leaves.

Step 3: Add the beetroot

Roughly chop the beetroot and add it to the bowl on top of the salad leaves.

Step 4: Add the goat's cheese

Crumble the goat's cheese over the salad.

Step 5: Finish with the walnuts

Add the walnuts to the salad and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Tips

• If you don't want purple hands, wear gloves when chopping the beetroot.
• You can swap the walnuts for pecans or cashews and use feta instead of goat's cheese if you prefer.
• Add some cooked chickpeas for a protein boost.
• Use ready-cooked beetroot or roast chunks of peeled beetroot with olive oil for 40 minutes until softened.
• Take this salad to the next level by adding a drizzle of honey over the finished salad.

Feta and beet salad

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of cooked beets, chopped into quarters or halves
• 1/3 cup of crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons of shelled pistachios, chopped
• 1/4 cup of minced parsley
• 2 tablespoons of minced mint
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional add-ins and swaps:

• A cooked grain such as millet, quinoa, or rice
• A handful of baby greens like arugula
• Fresh fruit such as berries, pomegranates, citrus segments, diced apple, or pear
• Dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or cherries
• Honey added to the dressing
• Walnuts, hazelnuts, or pecans instead of pistachios
• A protein such as shredded rotisserie chicken
• Orange instead of lemon, with a bit of zest added to the salad

Instructions:

• Combine the beets, feta, pistachios, parsley, and mint in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice in a separate small bowl, then pour it over the beet salad.
• Gently toss everything together until well combined.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This salad can be served immediately or kept refrigerated and covered for later. It pairs well with red meat, such as steak or pan-seared duck breast.

Blue cheese and beet appetisers

Blue cheese and beets are a match made in heaven, and there are many ways to combine these two ingredients to create delicious appetisers. Here are four mouth-watering blue cheese and beet appetiser ideas:

Blue Cheese and Beetroot Salad

Create a simple salad by tossing roasted beetroot wedges with scallions, herbs, and crumbled blue cheese. You can also add a red wine vinaigrette to the beetroot to make it more flavourful. This salad is a perfect blend of sweet and sharp flavours and makes for an interesting appetiser.

Blue Cheese and Beetroot Crostini

For an easy yet tasty appetiser, layer thin slices of raw beetroot onto crostini and top them with crumbled blue cheese. You can also add a creamy blue cheese dressing for an extra indulgent touch.

Blue Cheese and Beetroot Savoury Tart

Combine cooked diced beetroot, onions, garlic, cream, and eggs in a pastry shell. Top it off with generous amounts of crumbled blue cheese and bake until golden brown. This appetiser is sure to impress your guests with its combination of sweet and savoury flavours.

Blue Cheese and Beetroot Appetiser Bites

For a fun and elegant appetiser, try slicing roasted red beets thinly and topping each slice with a dollop of softened goat cheese and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme leaves for an extra zesty touch.

There are endless possibilities when combining blue cheese and beets to create appetisers. Get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavours to find your favourite combinations!

Cheddar and beet snacks

Beets and cheddar make a great pair. The creamy and sharp cheddar provides a nice contrast to the earthy flavour of beets. Here are some snack ideas combining these two delicious ingredients.

Baked Beet Chips with Cheddar

For this snack, you'll need to thinly slice beets into circles or rectangles. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then place them on a baking sheet. Shred some cheddar cheese and sprinkle it on top of the beets. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the beets are crispy around the edges.

Roasted Beet Side Dish with Cheddar

Roast beets in olive oil and garlic, then sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top. This is an easy and flavourful side dish that can be served with your favourite meal.

Beet and Cheddar Salad

Combine cooked beets with mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lemon juice or vinegar, chopped fresh herbs like parsley and dill, and shredded cheddar cheese. You can also add some walnuts and quinoa for a protein-boost. This salad is a perfect lunch option or a side dish for a picnic.

Beet and Cheddar Quiche or Frittata

This savoury dish combines cooked beets, grated cheddar cheese, and cooked bacon. It's a delicious option for lunch or dinner and can be served with a side salad or roasted vegetables.

Gouda and beet sides

Gouda and beets is a match made in heaven. The versatile, nutty, creamy, and sweet-salty notes of Gouda pair beautifully with the earthy sweetness of beets. Here are some mouth-watering ideas for side dishes and snacks that combine these two ingredients:

Roasted Cubes of Gouda and Beets

Roast cubes of Gouda and beets in the oven for a simple and tasty side dish or snack. The caramelization from roasting will enhance the flavours of both ingredients, resulting in a delicious combination.

Beet and Gouda Open-Faced Sandwich

Layer thinly sliced roasted beets on grilled slices of Gouda for a delightful open-faced sandwich. This light and tasty option is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner.

Beet Dip with Gouda

Create a rich and creamy beet dip by blending cooked beetroots, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, pepper, and grated Gouda. Serve this dip with vegetables or crackers for a moreish snack or side.

Beet and Gouda Salad

For a refreshing take on a side dish, try a beet and Gouda salad. Combine roasted beet cubes, arugula, and crumbled Gouda, then drizzle with a light vinaigrette. The crisp greens, sweet beets, and creamy cheese make for a delightful combination of flavours and textures.

Beet and Gouda Quesadillas

For a heartier side dish, try making beet and Gouda quesadillas. Fill flour tortillas with grated Gouda, sliced roasted beets, and chopped green onions, then grill until the cheese is melted. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole for a tasty treat.

Beet and Gouda Frittata

For a more substantial side, whip up a beet and Gouda frittata. Sauté diced beets and onions, then add beaten eggs and grated Gouda. Bake until set and serve warm. This savoury dish is perfect for brunch or a light lunch.

Frequently asked questions